Microsoft 365 VS Windows 365: what’s the difference?

Microsoft 365 and Windows 365 are two of the most popular solutions offered by Microsoft to help businesses and individuals stay connected and productive. But what’s the difference between the two? It can be confusing to understand the features, benefits, and differences between Microsoft 365 and Windows 365.

This comprehensive guide will provide a clear explanation of the differences between the two solutions, helping you to make an informed decision about which one is best for you. We’ll also discuss how to get the most out of each platform, so you can get the most out of your experience.

What is Microsoft 365?

Microsoft 365 is a cloud-powered, subscription-based service that provides customers with a range of business and productivity applications and services, including the Microsoft 365 productivity apps, Windows 11 operating system (OS), and Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS).

Microsoft 365 features

Microsoft 365 contains many dozens of apps, features, and tools to enhance workplace environments and facilitate better remote working conditions, with an emphasis on collaboration, communication, and security. The following lists some of the apps that set Microsoft 365 apart from its competitors.

Microsoft 365 productivity suite: Formerly Office 365, this suite of apps and features contains Microsoft’s most well-known programs, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, and more. These apps are designed to enable collaboration and communication in modern workplace environments.

Advanced Threat Protection: ATP provides next-generation protection against a variety of threats, including ransomware, bots, and other malicious activity. It has built-in intelligence that helps to identify and block new threats.

Data Loss Prevention: DLP prevents sensitive data from being accidentally or deliberately leaked. It also helps to protect data stored in SharePoint Online, OneDrive, and other Microsoft 365 apps.

Identity and Access Management: IAM allows you to manage who has access to sensitive data and resources, including user accounts, computer accounts, and more. It also allows you to manage identities across your hybrid environment.

Information Protection: This feature allows you to manage how sensitive data is accessed and shared with others. You can use it to identify sensitive data and protect it with controls like encryption.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus: Defender protects your computer and data against viruses, ransomware, and other malicious content.

Benefits of Microsoft 365

The benefits of using Microsoft 365 can be broken down into five key categories: productivity, collaboration, security, compliance, and mobility.

Productivity: As a user, you’ll be able to take advantage of the powerful functionality of Microsoft 365, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and others. With these applications, you can enhance your productivity and streamline your workflow. You’ll also be able to use Microsoft Teams, a top-notch communication tool that enables you to connect with colleagues, partners, and team members in an easy and engaging way.

Collaboration: Microsoft 365 helps to bring more people together. Whether you need talk to co-workers, or connect with clients, you’ll be able to collaborate easily and effectively.

Security: Microsoft 365 is a comprehensive security solution. It has advanced security features, such as Cloud Threat Detection, Azure Advanced Threat Protection, and Windows Defender to keep you protected against threats and attacks.

Compliance: Microsoft 365 is compliant with top industry standards. It has an extensive set of policies, controls, and other security features to comply with strict regulations.

Mobility: Take advantage of the advanced functionality of Windows 10 and 11, such as the powerful virtual desktop experience, Windows Defender, Windows Hello, and more.

Microsoft 365 subscription plans

There are several Microsoft 365 subscription plans depending on the needs of your organisation, or smaller, more cost-effective plans for individual needs. The most popular ones are listed below.

Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $8.20 per user/month

• Chat, call, and meet up to 300 attendees
• 1TB of cloud storage per user
• Business-class email
• Standard security
• Anytime phone and web support
• Contains web and mobile versions of Office apps and services:
  • Word
  • Excel
  • PowerPoint
  • Teams
  • Outlook
  • Exchange
  • OneDrive
  • SharePoint

Microsoft 365 Apps for Business: $12 per user/month

• Desktop versions of Office apps
• 1TB of cloud storage per user
• Standard security
• Anytime phone and web support
• Contains desktop, web, and mobile versions of Office apps and services:
  • Word
  • Excel
  • PowerPoint
  • Outlook
  • Access (PC only)
  • Publisher (PC only)

Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $17.20 per user/month

• Contains everything in Business Basic plus:
  • Desktop versions of Office apps
  • Easily host webinars
  • Attendee registration and reporting tools
  • Manage customer appointments
• Contains desktop, web, and mobile versions of Office apps and services:
  • Word
  • Excel
  • PowerPoint
  • Teams
  • Outlook
  • OneDrive
  • SharePoint
  • Exchange
  • Access (PC only)
  • Publisher (PC only)

Microsoft 365 Business Premium: $30.20 per user/month

• Contains everything in Business Standard plus:
  • Advanced security
  • Access and data control
  • Cyberthreat protection
• Contains desktop, web, and mobile versions of Office apps and services:
  • Word
  • Excel
  • PowerPoint
  • Teams
  • Outlook
  • OneDrive
  • SharePoint
  • Exchange
  • InTune
  • Azure Information Protection
  • Access (PC only)
  • Publisher (PC only)

What is Windows 365?

Windows 365 is Microsoft’s cloud PC solution that automatically creates a new type of Windows virtual machine for your end users. It allows your people to access the latest Windows 10 and 11 features, as well as a powerful virtual desktop (VD) experience. With this cloud-based service, you can access your apps and data from anywhere, across all devices. It’s the perfect solution for any business or organisation looking to streamline their operations and stay productive across the board.

Windows 365 is powered by Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), which is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) based virtual desktop solution.

Benefits of Windows 365

The benefits of using Windows 365 can be broken down into three key categories: productivity, collaboration, and security.

Productivity: You’ll be able to take advantage of a powerful VD experience, including virtual applications, hardware-accelerated graphics, fast and fluid experiences. You’ll also get access to Windows 10 and 11 applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and connect with team members using Microsoft Teams.

Collaboration: Advanced security features will keep your data safe and your organisation compliant.

Security: Microsoft’s advanced security features include Windows Defender Antivirus, Data Loss Prevention, and Advanced Threat Protection.

Windows 365 subscription plans

Microsoft offers Windows 365 subscriptions based on the size of your organisation, and offers free one month trials for the standard versions of both Business and Enterprise.

Windows 365 Business Cloud PC Basic: $53.20 per user/month

• 2 vCPU
• 4GB RAM
• 128GB storage
• Access and manage the cloud PC through windows365.microsoft.com
• Supports desktop versions of Microsoft 365 apps, Outlook, and OneDrive
• Supports desktop version of Teams (only chat and audio calls)
• Up to 300 users

Windows 365 Business Cloud PC Standard: 70.40 per user/month

• 2 vCPU
• 8GB RAM
• 128BG storage
• Access and manage the cloud PC through windows365.microsoft.com
• Supports desktop versions of Microsoft 365 apps, Outlook, and OneDrive
• Supports desktop version of Teams
• Up to 300 users

Windows 365 Business Cloud PC Premium: $113.30 per user/month

• 4 vCPU
• 16GB RAM
• 128GB storage
• Access and manage the cloud PC through windows365.microsoft.com
• Supports desktop versions of Microsoft 365 apps, Outlook, and OneDrive
• Supports desktop version of Teams
• Supports Microsoft Visual Studio, Power BI, and Dynamics 365
• Up to 300 users

Windows 365 Enterprise Cloud PC Basic: $53.20 per user/month

• 2 vCPU
• 4GB RAM
• 128GB storage
• Integrated with Microsoft Endpoint Manager for Advanced Threat Protection, and PC and mobile device management
• Supports the desktop versions of Microsoft apps, Outlook, and OneDrive
• Supports the desktop version of Microsoft Teams (chat and audio calls only)
• Unlimited users

Windows 365 Enterprise Cloud PC Standard: 70.40 per user/month

• 2 vCPU
• 8GB RAM
• 128BG storage
• Integrated with Microsoft Endpoint Manager for Advanced Threat Protection, and PC and mobile device management
• Supports the desktop versions of Office apps, Outlook, and OneDrive
• Supports the desktop version of Microsoft Teams
• Unlimited users

Windows 365 Business Cloud PC Premium: $113.30 per user/month

• 4 vCPU
• 16GB RAM
• 128GB storage
• Integrated with Microsoft Endpoint Manager for Advanced Threat Protection, and PC and mobile device management
• Supports the desktop versions of Office apps, Outlook, and OneDrive
• Supports the desktop version of Microsoft Teams
• Supports Microsoft Visual Studio, Power BI, and Dynamics 365
• Unlimited users

Find your ideal Microsoft 365 or Windows 365 plan with expert help

Microsoft 365 and Windows 365 offer powerful, useful modern workplace solutions for organisations of all industries and sizes.

The Microsoft specialists at Essential Tech can help you find the right subscription plan for your business and employees, help you deploy the various apps and features, train your users, and manage your Microsoft environment for peak performance, security, and usability.